Volunteer with AARP: Change A Community, Change A Life

Giving of yourself to help others live their best life by volunteering is something that comes easy for some. AARP founder Ethel Percy Andrus believed in volunteering. 

Dr. Andrus once said, "The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live." 

The quote still rings true today and continues to shape this association dedicated to helping people aged 50+ live their best lives. Today, AARP has about 55-thousand-plus volunteers who work to help others by advocating for issues that benefit all. 

There are many ways to volunteer with AARP, from being in person at an event to advocating from the comfort of your living room couch. AARP allows you to choose whichever you prefer. Volunteering will help boost your work experience by allowing you to try different positions, not to mention all the new friends you make. Volunteering also helps improve your health. Studies have shown that volunteering lowers stress levels and depression. 

Volunteer with AARP Austin
Jessica Lemann, Senior Associate State Director of Outreach & Advocacy, said volunteering is a great way to contribute to your community while connecting with others.

"You build relationships that go beyond the volunteer work. It also builds self-esteem by giving you a sense of purpose," said Lemann. "As an AARP volunteer in Austin, you can assist members at events, advocate for policy that improves the lives of older adults, and play a role in shaping the work we do by connecting with community partners and planning events that you believe matter to the community." 

Enedelia Obregon has been a part of AARP's volunteer program in Austin for about ten years. She has experience at the state level and with chapters that focus more on local initiatives. 

"Advocacy is essential. There are a lot of issues that are important to us because it's not just for us, but someday you will be old too. So, the groundwork we lay down now benefits you and will benefit everybody eventually," said Obregon. 
Volunteer with AARP Austin
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Volunteer with AARP Dallas
Gena Webster has been an AARP Dallas volunteer for 14 years. One of her favorite experiences was with an event called "decide, create, share," which involves discussing future wishes and what you want to do if something happens to you unexpectedly.

Webster spoke about how many younger people throughout the presentation were unaware that if you were over the legal age of consent, 18 in some places, in Texas, it's 17. In other words, parents cannot speak for you or handle your affairs without your permission in the case of an unexpected accident. 

Webster went on to talk about how that event led to many similar ones with more and younger people who, in turn, spread that valuable knowledge to more people. 

Volunteer with AARP Dallas

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Volunteer with AARP Fort Worth
Valencia Hooper retired in 2018, but she already knew she wanted to volunteer with AARP. Valencia said, "I knew friends and colleagues who were volunteers and they seemed to have a wonderful time. They were helping others while enjoying themselves."

She's been a volunteer since then and she continues to enjoy the many ways volunteering can impact her community. "I Iove people and serving others, this is a great opportunity to do both," says Valencia. "The community events provide a chance to meet people I wouldn't ordinarily meet, and the community projects improve the environment as well as add meaning to the residents. I love my work with AARP!"

Volunteer with AARP Fort Worth

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Volunteer with AARP El Paso
AARP El Paso is gearing up to do more amazing work in the community. Led by El Paso Associate State Director Liliana Mireles, we recently held a successful volunteer recruitment luncheon so attendees could learn about the impact our volunteers have.

We’re excited to be recruiting new team members, but we still love and depend on our long-time volunteers! Angie Garcia has been an El Paso volunteer since 2011. She volunteers because, “Volunteering for AARP makes a difference in the lives of older Americans. It is the only organization that fights for programs affecting older Americans, like Social Security, Medicare, and Prescription Drugs.” Gilbert Blancas, also a long-time volunteer says, “I enjoy volunteering with AARP because of the valuable information they have to communicate to our older adult population. Their resources and information are necessary to navigate our current times.”

Volunteer with AARP El Paso
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Volunteer with AARP Houston
Lydia Olyphant in Houston has been an AARP volunteer for more than five years. She said one of her fondest memories of volunteering for AARP was when she visited Houston leaders to advocate for the 50+ community.

"We went to city hall to speak with the council members, advocating for them to fix the sidewalks in Houston. Some areas didn't even have a sidewalk. Other badly cracked sidewalks made it difficult for people who are disabled or parents with baby strollers to use," said Olyphant. "I enjoyed speaking out for my community and knowing I was making a difference." 

Olyphant said volunteering with AARP is also educational. 

"Come and join us. You learn things. It's good to talk to other people and get their ideas on how to improve your community. You also get a better idea of our mission with AARP and create a better quality of life for yourself," said Olyphant.

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Volunteer with AARP San Antonio
Dora Zamora has been an AARP San Antonio volunteer for about three years. She said volunteering has brought a new sense of purpose to her life. She's even made friends.

"Being close to everyone in our group, you become a family, which makes it good that you feel like you are contributing to our community," said Zamora. "My advice for anybody that wants to volunteer is it keeps you young, keeps you going, and gives you a reason to do something other than just within yourself or your families. If you want to know what's happening, volunteering for AARP is the place. You stay informed."

AARP has a hybrid volunteering system, meaning you can volunteer in person or from home. AARP is committed to advocacy and outreach efforts throughout Texas. Helping those in your community by volunteering is priceless when considering the potential impact your action will have on your community. 

Volunteer with AARP San Antonio

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One of the best parts of volunteering with AARP Texas is that you can pick the in-person or virtual event you want to support. It's a great way to share your experience and learn a few new skills too. Flexibility is the name of the game, so you can volunteer when you are able to help and pass on events when you can't.